My father had this album back in the day, and I may still have a cassette copy of it somewhere. Sally Rogers has such a lovely voice, and used to play the autoharp and/or dulcimer to this song. I think I will buy a copy of the album "The Unclaimed Pint" on Amazon which features this song.
LOVELY AGNES(Sally Rogers c. 1980)
Oh Agnes, won't you go with me? We'll be married in styleAnd we'll cross Lake Michigan, so blue and so wide,We'll cross over Lake Michigan, 'til we come to the shore,And our orchards will blossom for our babies as they're born.
Oh yes, love I will go with you, leave Wisconsin behindThough my parents think little of my life on a farm,For to leave the gay city life, and be buried on a farm,But I'll watch the orchards bloom in spring,Spend the winter's warm in your arms.
Oh Agnes, won't you go with me? We'll be married in styleAnd we'll cross Lake Michigan, so blue and so wide,We'll cross over Lake Michigan, 'til we come to the shore,And our orchards will blossom for our babies as they're born
Three children she gave to him, Curtis, Addie and DeeAnd their fourth child little Gussie came, ten years after these.And she raised them with loving hand and with firmness of mindAnd she raised them through troubled times, Agnes strongwilled and kind.
Oh Agnes, won't you go with me? We'll be married in styleAnd we'll cross Lake Michigan, so blue and so wide,We'll cross over Lake Michigan, 'til we come to the shore,And our orchards will blossom for our babies as they're born
Now the years have gone and past, like the fruit on the trees,And your children have children with babes on their kneesAnd they all join in the summertime, by the crystal lake shore,To greet lovely Agnes, now 12 years and four-score.
Oh Agnes, won't you go with me? We'll be married in styleAnd we'll cross Lake Michigan, so blue and so wide,We'll cross over Lake Michigan, 'til we come to the shore,And our orchards will blossom for our babies as they're born
written for Sally's grandmother Agnes' 92 b-day.Copyright Sally Rogers 1982recorded by Sally on Unclaimed Pint
Read more: ROGERS SALLY - LOVELY AGNES LYRICS
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Bare Trees, Grey Light
Well, the trees aren't bare this time of year, but the song is fitting given that this has been a week of loss. A dear friend and her family have lost their matriarch. I lost a colleague.
My friend lost her grandmother, who had reached the remarkable age of 99. Even though her advanced years were a signal that her remaining days couldn't have numbered too many, it is still an incredible loss and a shock. From my friend's pictures, her grandmother was in many, smiling, with the assemblage of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. If memory serves there are some great-greats running or toddling about in nappies, too.
My own grandmother lived well into her 90s, but she had ceased being the grand dame of the family in her late 70s when Alzheimers stripped her of her faculties and she was but a shell of the woman she had been for so many years. I will admit that when my grandmother passed there was more a sense of relief, as I know that she would not wanted to have lived in a reduced capacity and relied on the constant care of others.
My family is neither as large nor as close as my friend's. The funeral for my grandmother was not well attended. She had outlived two of her three children, and the remaining child and her family were estranged from the rest of the family, which only consisted of two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. There was no wake.
The celebration of the life of my friend's grandmother will be much better attended, more full of tears, and yet more full of happy memories, more full of laughter, kisses, and hugs.
My colleague that passed died by his own hand. He had been asked to retire, and was almost 70. Apparently worried over finances, he took his own life, perhaps believing that the insurance money would be a greater boon to his family than his continued existence. Perhaps he felt stripped of his dignity and manhood because his job was being taken away.
I cannot say that we were close. I had known him for years, seen him in the building, had coffee and chats from time to time. We always smiled and said hello. He was ever friendly and kind. I wish I had known him better.
For some moments in life there are no words.
My friend lost her grandmother, who had reached the remarkable age of 99. Even though her advanced years were a signal that her remaining days couldn't have numbered too many, it is still an incredible loss and a shock. From my friend's pictures, her grandmother was in many, smiling, with the assemblage of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. If memory serves there are some great-greats running or toddling about in nappies, too.
My own grandmother lived well into her 90s, but she had ceased being the grand dame of the family in her late 70s when Alzheimers stripped her of her faculties and she was but a shell of the woman she had been for so many years. I will admit that when my grandmother passed there was more a sense of relief, as I know that she would not wanted to have lived in a reduced capacity and relied on the constant care of others.
My family is neither as large nor as close as my friend's. The funeral for my grandmother was not well attended. She had outlived two of her three children, and the remaining child and her family were estranged from the rest of the family, which only consisted of two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. There was no wake.
The celebration of the life of my friend's grandmother will be much better attended, more full of tears, and yet more full of happy memories, more full of laughter, kisses, and hugs.
My colleague that passed died by his own hand. He had been asked to retire, and was almost 70. Apparently worried over finances, he took his own life, perhaps believing that the insurance money would be a greater boon to his family than his continued existence. Perhaps he felt stripped of his dignity and manhood because his job was being taken away.
I cannot say that we were close. I had known him for years, seen him in the building, had coffee and chats from time to time. We always smiled and said hello. He was ever friendly and kind. I wish I had known him better.
For some moments in life there are no words.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Father's Day Memories
As I am sure you are all aware, yesterday was Father's Day. I have a dear friend who considers this a "Hallmark Holiday" and I suppose that in many ways it is. I will admit that I went through the motions and sent a card to my step-dad.
I spent Father's Day with Little One, and it was largely a day of leisure and fairly uneventful. Friday night I took her to meet a friend at the movie theater. After getting the tickets and laying out some ground rules, they were off, giggling and talking about cute boys, outfits, and doing whatever 12 year old girls do at the movies. Saturday we bummed around and then she went ice skating with this same girl friend. Afterward we went to Johnny Rockets for burgers and milkshakes with Finicky and his two kids.
Sunday Little One and I slept in, and then we met Finicky and his kids again, this time for doughnuts at the Krispy Kreme. I haven't had a doughnut in months, and I remember why. First, I am trying to eat better, but also after the second doughnut the sugar really churns in my stomach. And, frankly, two doughnuts just aren't that filling.
I hope Little One had a good day. She was generally sweet and kind to me. It made me think back to Father's Days spent with my old man. I would often buy him fishing tackle of some sort as a present. Either a cool lure, or some hooks, weights, bobbers, etc. And inevitably I would ask to borrow whatever it was I "gave" him. In later years, when I was working and had some money to spend, the gifts became real gifts and were certainly more thoughtful.
Generally I bought him books, but occasionally I would buy him a gun, or some sort of useful item or some sort of antique that I knew he would admire but never buy for himself. When he passed and we cleaned out his home I remember finding these things that he had saved for so many years. My sister had a similar experience, too. I kept some of the books that she had given him for Father's days or other occasions, and she found some that I had given him that she kept.
I keep a box in my closet of various things that remind me of my Little One. Stubs from movies that we saw together, football games or other events we attended. Report cards, pictures, a few school crafts, and other little things that bring me fond memories. Maybe one day when I am no more she will clean out my closet and find the box, and it will remind her of times we spent together.
I spent Father's Day with Little One, and it was largely a day of leisure and fairly uneventful. Friday night I took her to meet a friend at the movie theater. After getting the tickets and laying out some ground rules, they were off, giggling and talking about cute boys, outfits, and doing whatever 12 year old girls do at the movies. Saturday we bummed around and then she went ice skating with this same girl friend. Afterward we went to Johnny Rockets for burgers and milkshakes with Finicky and his two kids.
Sunday Little One and I slept in, and then we met Finicky and his kids again, this time for doughnuts at the Krispy Kreme. I haven't had a doughnut in months, and I remember why. First, I am trying to eat better, but also after the second doughnut the sugar really churns in my stomach. And, frankly, two doughnuts just aren't that filling.
I hope Little One had a good day. She was generally sweet and kind to me. It made me think back to Father's Days spent with my old man. I would often buy him fishing tackle of some sort as a present. Either a cool lure, or some hooks, weights, bobbers, etc. And inevitably I would ask to borrow whatever it was I "gave" him. In later years, when I was working and had some money to spend, the gifts became real gifts and were certainly more thoughtful.
Generally I bought him books, but occasionally I would buy him a gun, or some sort of useful item or some sort of antique that I knew he would admire but never buy for himself. When he passed and we cleaned out his home I remember finding these things that he had saved for so many years. My sister had a similar experience, too. I kept some of the books that she had given him for Father's days or other occasions, and she found some that I had given him that she kept.
I keep a box in my closet of various things that remind me of my Little One. Stubs from movies that we saw together, football games or other events we attended. Report cards, pictures, a few school crafts, and other little things that bring me fond memories. Maybe one day when I am no more she will clean out my closet and find the box, and it will remind her of times we spent together.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Guilty Summer Pleasures
My Little One is off visiting family, so I have had the house (and TV) to myself. I am able to enjoy some of my interests with the rolling eyes that often accompany my 12-year old when the old man has the remote.
Here are a few of the shows that I am watching with impunity this week:
- Longmire - yes, it is yet another cop show, but it is hard to beat Big Sky country and a sheriff's deputy that I hope at any moment with slip and say "frack".
- Dr Who - I had fallen away from the show for some time, but with the help of the DVR I am making up for lost time. In some ways it is better, in others, meh. But still not a bad show to have on will working around the house.
- Various old movies - TCM and I have long, loving relationship. I can always count on the network for 2-3 movies a week. I usually pick some that I have seen before, and at least one that I haven't. Bell, Book and Candle was on recently. Kim Novak - wow...
I also have free range in the kitchen, and am able to experiment with recipes that my Little One would be hesitant to try. The added bonus is that of I botch them and they are inedible my pride does not force me to smile and eat them in front of her, but can chuck them in the bin.
Carry on, summer.
Here are a few of the shows that I am watching with impunity this week:
- Longmire - yes, it is yet another cop show, but it is hard to beat Big Sky country and a sheriff's deputy that I hope at any moment with slip and say "frack".
- Dr Who - I had fallen away from the show for some time, but with the help of the DVR I am making up for lost time. In some ways it is better, in others, meh. But still not a bad show to have on will working around the house.
- Various old movies - TCM and I have long, loving relationship. I can always count on the network for 2-3 movies a week. I usually pick some that I have seen before, and at least one that I haven't. Bell, Book and Candle was on recently. Kim Novak - wow...
I also have free range in the kitchen, and am able to experiment with recipes that my Little One would be hesitant to try. The added bonus is that of I botch them and they are inedible my pride does not force me to smile and eat them in front of her, but can chuck them in the bin.
Carry on, summer.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Human Mortality, or What Comes Next
In my spare time I often read. I read disparate and often seemingly unconnected things: a book about scuba diving on mysterious wrecks in the Atlantic. The naval battles of the Civil War. The world of prehistoric sharks, and the megalodon in particular. Essays on the nature of war. Sun spots.
As I try to step back and look at history, or perhaps History, there is one thing that is a recurring theme. That the planet we call home seems to reset itself biologically. Now, there are some here in the Deep South that would say that is nonsense. That the dinosaurs coincided with man, or perhaps the fossils were planted in the ground just to lead man astray from the true faith. I know that those beliefs aren't widely held, but nonetheless.
The means by which homo sapiens will become extinct on this orb is to my mind less interesting than what type of life will replace us. I suppose that how we become extinct does have some bearing on what will replace us. If the climate turns cold again, perhaps mammals will remain dominant. If the planet warms significantly will reptiles return to the glory of eons past? And what of the seemingly countless varieties of insects? Will they rise up and with their shortened life cycles be able to rapidly evolve to take advantage of changing conditions?
And this is all purely a matter of conjecture. The dust of my remains will have been re-purposed by the planet. Maybe it is more fun, as Frost noted, to wonder if the world will end in fire or ice. I suppose by the end of the world he meant human life. Perhaps he was being more absolute, and meant all life on the planet.
I was following an online conversation about short stories and ran across the link to this one, which I found quite entertaining.
As I try to step back and look at history, or perhaps History, there is one thing that is a recurring theme. That the planet we call home seems to reset itself biologically. Now, there are some here in the Deep South that would say that is nonsense. That the dinosaurs coincided with man, or perhaps the fossils were planted in the ground just to lead man astray from the true faith. I know that those beliefs aren't widely held, but nonetheless.
The means by which homo sapiens will become extinct on this orb is to my mind less interesting than what type of life will replace us. I suppose that how we become extinct does have some bearing on what will replace us. If the climate turns cold again, perhaps mammals will remain dominant. If the planet warms significantly will reptiles return to the glory of eons past? And what of the seemingly countless varieties of insects? Will they rise up and with their shortened life cycles be able to rapidly evolve to take advantage of changing conditions?
And this is all purely a matter of conjecture. The dust of my remains will have been re-purposed by the planet. Maybe it is more fun, as Frost noted, to wonder if the world will end in fire or ice. I suppose by the end of the world he meant human life. Perhaps he was being more absolute, and meant all life on the planet.
I was following an online conversation about short stories and ran across the link to this one, which I found quite entertaining.
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